The Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) of Northwest Lower Michigan reminds residents and visitors of Grand Traverse County that state and local laws prohibit open burning of many materials.
What is Open Burning?
Open burning is the burning of materials or debris by which smoke and emissions are released directly into the air, rather than through a chimney and/or the combustion of solid waste is not adequately controlled.
Michigan State law does not allow the
open burning of household trash that contains plastic, rubber, foam, chemically treated wood, textiles, electronics, chemicals or hazardous materials.
Additionally,
commercial and construction waste, pressure-treated lumber, structures slated for demolition, unwanted furniture, old appliances and scrap tires are not allowed to be openly burned in Michigan.
Open burning pollutes the air and nearby soil and water, aggravates respiratory health conditions, and releases extremely toxic chemicals (such as arsenic) directly into the environment. Repeated burning results in future exposures for wildlife, potentially increased cancer risk in humans, and health and safety risks to neighbors within a few hundred feet of an open burn.
Burn Permits
The burning of trees, logs, brush
, and stumps may be allowed by first obtaining a burn permit. Many burn permits simply require a short phone call with a DNR or local municipality representative. Visit
www.michigan.gov/burnpermit for more information.
Find out who needs a burn permit or who does not by clicking
here.
For assistance learning how to recycle or properly dispose of unwanted items, call the RecycleSmart hotline 231-941-9555 or search
the
Take It Back Recycling Directory.
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